Help & Advice needed! Student & Living away from home.

princeofpounds

Hi Alex, found your posts really interesting as it remind me of my time at uni (ok, except without the gambler parents and so on - I'm just talking in general terms!).

Firstly, I'll say that I think you are doing the right thing. You are an independent adult, you are making your own choices that you want more out of life than your parents do, and that's great. Moving out is an integral part of the process and whether you do it now or in 6 months time, it's kind of an appropriate moment. You are doing it for sensible reasons and I'd urge you to concentrate on the positive things it can do for you, not just the negative things it gets you away from.

Whilst I would never deter you from being supportive, particularly emotionally, remember your parents are not your responsibility.

So, as for your questions...

On accomodation, your options are likely to be a room in a shared house (as a lodger or co-tenant) or perhaps a room in halls. Typically halls is more for first years and foreign students, depends on the university, but you'll often find that drop-outs create vacant rooms or sometimes there are spaces for students in later years. Halls can be a nice halfway house to independent renting so worth a try.

As for renting privately, look for shared rooms. It's much cheaper than running your own place and it's likely to be what you can afford for a couple of years out of university anyway. It also gives you an instant social life if you find good housemates.

Take a look at the the local Local Housing Allowance rates too. If you don't get a job after university (I'm sure you will) you might have to fall back on this benefit and you'll get a sense of what the budget would be in that situation.

Finally on the running- my own suggestion is that if you are finding it properly difficult lighten up the load on yourself, even if you feel you are trundling along or walking. In the early weeks it's important to enjoy it and get in the habit of going out without building up resentment towards the effort. When you feel like you are having a good session halfway through then feel free to pick up the pace at that point, but don't feel the need to rag yourself silly in the first ten minutes each time. Just get a sense of satisfaction from being out there.